Nelson to resign, Smart to take over

A Warriors’ source confirmed multiple reports that the NBA’s all-time winningest coach will resign his post before training camp opens Tuesday, and assistant Keith Smart will be named interim coach.

Nelson didn’t answer his cell phone, but his message gave a nice hint: “Hi, this is Nellie. I’m busy, very busy, probably swimming with the dolphins.”

Nelson is 1,335-1,063 in 31 seasons of innovating and polarizing at the same time. He has one year remaining on his contract, and ESPN is reporting that he will get the full $6 million.

General manager Larry Riley didn’t immediately return a cell phone message, and Smart didn’t let on to the situation at a meeting over coffee this morning.

“I’m focused on what I have control of right now, and that is getting the players ready for the season,” Smart said. “My mind doesn’t wander too far ahead. I can’t answer whether I’d be open to taking over right now, because, right now, I’m a Warriors’ assistant coach.”

New owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber are expected to be approved by the league in late October, days before the start of the regular season. Lacob has said he wants to start the franchise’s new era with a young, exciting coach, but the awkward timing of the ownership’s approval could make that impossible.